Great video, love the demonstrations on what actually happens when wet or charred. One thing I'd like to bring up is the pest and rodent factor. Since it compresses twice as much, fiberglass attracts rodents for nesting during winter months. Bugs also have easier access to inside the home. Rockwool is a much tighter fit, providing a better seal on the exterior. Just something I've noticed as an electrician, where I'm constantly working in and around insulation of all types.
We just had rockwool installed in a loft renovation this week. Months of rough work done where old fiberglass was left in the party walls. Neighbors complained a lot about noise, even that they could hear our conversations. The minute the rockwool replaced it, the sound difference was like night and day. Quiet as a funeral.
lots of big UA-camrs definitely seem sponsored by Rockwool but i've heard old fiberglass doesn't retain it's shape as well over time. I have my fiberglass in my 40 year old place now and there are portions in the wall where the insulation hasn't held up well and show cold on a thermal detector. Going to try at Rockwool
hahaha i'm stealing that one "quiet as a funeral" Honestly i don't know why the whole industry hasn't switched to rockwool yet, The cost is insignificant compared to the savings in heat and energy bills as well as safety from being naturally mold resisitant and rot resistant.
Roxul is pricey but well worth it. I use it for every remodeling project. My wife works swing shift and would sleep in our daughter's room just because it was dead quiet compared to the other rooms. I could run the lawnmower and you couldn't even hear it running directly next to the house. Definitely made a huge difference in temperature control during the winter also
@@JoseRodriguez-pn9hx Growing up, my dad's house that was built in the late 60s/early 70s had mineral wool insulation instead of fiberglass. It was always nice and cold in there during the summers.
@@JoseRodriguez-pn9hx Absolutely it would be. ✅ Easier installation ✅ Rodent- and bug-resistant ✅ Fire-resistant ✅ Water-repellent and -resistant ✅ Excellent sound control ✅ Consistent R-value due to rigidity and low compressibility
@@JoseRodriguez-pn9hx definitely, doesn't matter what season, her room holds the same temperature. I moved the thermostat into her room to test a theory, during the winter we keep it on 70 and the whole house was down to 57 degrees before it was cool enough in her room to tell the thermostat to kick on
I went into this with 0 knowledge about insulation. Didn't know they would be so fire resistant. Good to learn what really matters is just the price and where you intend to place them.
Something I use it for, even thought it's not called for, is in walls with a 220v electric in-wall heaters. Most modern heaters are very well designed with extra safety features, so a fire is unlikely, but not impossible. Also, in a cold wall, I could imagine the hot and cold creating a moist area - supposedly rockwool is more mold-resistant. (Mold resistance is also a reason I use this on top of my HVAC trunk lines in the basement.)
by the time the fire is into the drywall, it's so much heat, and it's so widespread that I imagine the insulation basically melts like cotton candy after 10 seconds.
Roxul, hands down Used it in ceiling, walls, and under house. When we lost power this past winter, had minimal heat loss in house. Chose the thickest we could fit in the space
If you are insulating a ceiling, you can bend the rockwool and pop it in and it stays there. I found rockwool easier to work with, quicker less steps,and way less itch. With fiberglass in a wall or ceiling you need to staple it and put a moisture barrier if it is unfaced. The rockwool just goes in. Do to price I don't know if I would do my whole house, but as I have been redoing small areas the price is negligible, so I use the Rockwool. Ironically the reason I bought it the first time is because it was on sale and was cheaper than fiberglass, I liked it much better.
Great video! I did a whole room with the rock wool- an old serrated kitchen knife worked great for cutting it. I think it's better than the pink stuff for keeping critters out and for mold resistance, but maybe you could do another test to confirm that one. LOVE your channel.
I found using roxul in many cottages or hunting cabins that mineral wool is a great mice deterant as opposed in to the pink stuff. I also found it much better as fiberglass for soundproofing
@@clintmanning4004 key word there is "should". Unfortunately, sealing houses is "new" in construction. You will be lucky to find houses built prior to 2000 that were sealed.
@@clintmanning4004 Not everybody has a new home or newer home where houses are being sealed or tighter fit than older homes. At one time it was considered "bad" having a tight house.
@@Erocwolverine42Yeah I understand, I'm just stating that if you have any pests entering your home, you should comb over the outside of your home and find the access points that pests are entering and then seal them so you won't have pests anymore. Or hire a pro to do it for you. Pests like mice and bats can cause thousands of dollars in damage. I was recently working on a house that had 4 inches of bat poop in the attic. They had to hire a restoration company to remove the bat poop and all the blow in insulation, properly clean and disinfect. Then hire another business to blow in new insulation. I'm sure that whole process cost around 10k. Then finally they hired a guy to seal off the attic from pests. Should've just done that from the get go.
After the wet, Pink grows mould etc. It compresses, flattens & every time I clean that crap out, it seems to be the preferred nesting spot for bugs & mice (filled with droppings). Over time I believe the Rockwool retains its R-value.
I just bought an uninsulated money eating 120 yr old house. Maybe not the smartest move. Hindsight is always better. I am watching all your videos and am learning a lot. Thank you so much
Thank you. There have been a lot of videos lately tooting the Roxul horn.. (Some admittedly paid, some don’t want you to know they’ve been paid) It is great to see somebody (you) just providing the facts without any marketing fluff.
Love your channel but I would repectfully disagree on the burn characteristics of fiberglass to a degree. When I was a firefighter in the city we constantly opened up walls and ceilings. The fiberglass insulation WITH THE BROWN PAPER backing especially in the walls most always extended the fire upwards. It would climb vertical in the 2x4 space. the heat from the paper burning would melt the pink stuff. When we opened up there was most times a burn or char area that was spreading.Sometimes it would be contained to that wall/ceiling space sometimes not.
@@leatt4693 Ok for this demonstration. How many people( DYI) use fiberglass in there walls with the paper backing??? I've seeen tons of the paper backing stuff spread up a wall. Now like Jeff said if it gets thru the sheet rock that takes time. But you get an electrical fire in the wall ,well now!
@@greggo502 When I am looking for insulation I can't even find a store that sells paper backed insulation anymore. Old homes will have it though and I have owned and replaced that insulation due to fire hazard.
@@leatt4693 dont know what you're talking about you aint looking i live insulation and you have no idea what you're talking about, go to literally any home improvement store youll find it
STC is for transfer of sound, like when you walk on floors, but, the rockwool is better at reducing noise, i.e. it is preferred in sound proofing for studios and home theaters...Rockwool + MLV makes a big difference on what you hear on the other side of that wall
@@Nikuser I just asked about doing a video on attic installation. This is good to know. I was told mice dont like blown in cellulose ( on top of existing batt) because it falls back on top them. Im wondering if roxul is better for attic under the cellulose as it doesnt compress as much as the fiberglass.
@@leanneb6622 I live in an area of the US were we have Sand Storms and Cellulose attic spaces collects all that sand and it gets heavy. Over time it can and does cause ceiling to fall. No mater how tight you think you house is the sand storms will prove its not lol .
Shortly after Roxul was readily available I built a chicken barn addition (50x100' on an existing 50x100') ... the existing barn was done with pink, at the farmer's insistence he wanted Roxul put in the addition... now there is good reason for his desire as between flocks the barn gets washed with a pressure washer so his existing barn had some issues water intruding causing sag and thus loss of heat (and more heat intrusion)... BUT, a year after build he hated the Roxul because the rodents loved it... the claim of rodent proof were greatly exaggerated... Now I know they still make the same claim so I expect that they have since added a chemical treatment to it otherwise by now a class action suit would have occurred.... personally if I was still in construction I'd be apt to use lamb's wool instead of pink or green...
When I open a wall during a renovation, I find the pink stuff has always lost its fluff and in turn it’s R value. Roxsul type insulation fills a cavity way better and you don’t end up with dead space that is missing insulation. Pink is old school.
Its rated to hold its r value for 20 years. I never understood why but it makes sense any water or settling over time and its garbage. The mineral wool is good for the life of the house. Yes its more expensive but if you plan on passing the house on to future family members its probably worth the cost.
Hes completely misleading though.. there are a lot more benefits to rockwool that he isnt stating.... it is mold risistent rodents and bugs dont nest and chew through it. Not the mention the r value ks close per inch... but makes a big difference when you're talking about 3 and 4 inch.. means you either meet the r value or dont..
@@tiagosimoes7422 I have to agree roxual is way easier to cut , is much less itchy, fills the cavity better, doesn't really compress and has a slightly better R Value and IMHO is worth every penny, Once you try it you will never go back
@@snakeplisken4119 Rockwool is far itchier than new OC fiberglass. I own an insulation company and if I'm working with RW I need to wear gloves, that stuff is brutal. If I'm working with OC that stuff feels like cotton, zero itch.
This video is pretty much spot on. A couple of other minor notes for new renovators: * Some people have a very negative, almost allergic kind of, reaction to fibreglass. My wife is one of those people. It doesn't bother some, like me (thankfully). Rockwool does not have this problem * All fibreglass insulation is the same. Pink, White, Orange, whatever. It's all made to the same specification so you will have a consistent install no matter what is available in your area. * Do wear a filtration mask when working with fibreglass. Inhaling the fibres can cause long term health problems and the fibres are going to be airborne while you're working.
@@anthonyjoe9139 You misunderstood him. He said "when working with fiberglass". When you work with it, it agitates it, throws particles in the air that you breathe in. If you are not working with it, simply around it, that is not an issue. He is correct. If you've ever worked in an attic crawling around in fiberglass, you'll notice that your lungs, esophagus, airways, etc. hurt/itch afterwards, because you've breathed in all the fiberglass particles. This is similar to asbestos. Asbestos is "safe" to be around, but whenever working with it, i.e. tearing things out and aerating it, you breathe it in and that is not safe.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d I didn't misunderstand. I wouldn't use it any more than I would asbestos. It's nasty. The attic is full of the fibres. The crawl space is full of them. I had a storage locker insulated with that garbage. That stuff got into EVERYTHING and no one was AGITATING it! Every box had that crap all over and in it. Tell me the fibres aren't working their way into the house. Who knows how much of the dust is that crap even if it's not as obvious as in my storage locker. I can't go into the attic or crawl space without a mask that crap is EVERYWHERE. It is garbage! I would never use it even for a chicken coop. It ought to be banned and the companies that make it ought to have to pay to remediate the damage.
@@anthonyjoe9139 Errrr, what? I think something was wrong with your house, bro. Every house I've ever been in has had pink fiberglass insulation and I've never seen that issue. Hundreds of structures, including businesses (look above the drop ceilings and there's probably pink stuff). Maybe your home used inferior stuff, had a pest problem, an issue with humidity, etc. etc. etc? Idk but sounds like a you problem. It's fine unless you agitate it.
I recommend your videos to everyone working on home projects. They are extremely informative and I always get the feeling of, here's the best information on what I've experienced, but you decide.
I’ve got to disagree with the sound deadening claims. I’ve noticed a massive difference in sound transmission in my house since I started replacing the old fiberglass pink stuff with mineral wool.
@@joseph7105 nope, as I stated it’s based on personal experience. The differences are probably negligible in most cases. There are too many variables to count. There are however studies arguing both sides I.e. mineral wool vs pink stuff.I may have had a similar experience just replacing old pink stuff with new pink stuff, I’m quite aware of that. You really felt the need to pick my obscure comment from last year out and shame me or make me look ignorant? Lol get a life.
@@joseph7105 No worries, my apologies. I posted that after renovating a kitchen from the 50’s using rock wool to replace original fiberglass insulation with a noticeable difference.
Roxul insulation is just what I need to use in a Garage Wall that Has already been Drenched by a Broken Water Pipe. Thank You for comparing the Insulation!
Nice to have a visual comparison. I can confirm what others said about Roxul and mice. Mice prefer the pink stuff. My contractor used fiberglass for an add-on at the cottage. I replaced most of it with Roxul. The only place mice came through was through the pink fiberglass. I'll change that section now to Roxul.
Building materials better be completely dry before spraying closed cell. Also, all wiring needs to be run with no twists or kinks, or it might overheat and melt, breaking the circuit. Troubleshooting electrical issues creates a huge mess of torn out foam, that usually never gets reapplied by the general contractor.
Thank you! My husband is heading to Lowe’s. He said, “What insulation should I get?” (for the basement we’re finishing.) I told him, “ Just a minute. I’ll see what our GUY says!” You answered all my questions! 🙌🏽
Hey I just heard you on the BP podcast! It was so good, I actually saved it to my favorites to replay later. I loved the info. Lots of gems dropped by you. Thanks for all you do!
@@HomeRenoVisionDIY Thank you!!!! It took 18 days to restore the power grid to everyone. Our local linemen and power crews crews were joined by crews from across the country and Canada, along with the Iowa National Guard, to form a team of over 2,000 people. Otherwise it would have taken much longer. Clean up still continues. There are still people homeless because their homes are too damaged to live in. There's more work than contractors. Building supplies are in short supply. Some contractors have taken it upon themselves to travel to other major cities to pick up supplies because it would take less time than waiting for them to be shipped in. Most schools in that area started yesterday. Our school district delayed a week and started the end of Aug. but we didn't have the damage to school buildings like the city did. You don't happen to have any tips on fixing up trailer houses, do you? I am seeing a lot of posts form people trying to get repairs for their mobile homes.
This is so spot on. Rockwool/Roxul is awesome stuff. But the modern fiberglass is so close, it usually doesn't justify the cost. Ironically, you mention Mapp gas vs propane and I see the exact same comparison but you strangely pick Mapp gas... 130° F difference (3.5%) and a substantial increase in cost.
Your level of insight showcases your years of hard work and learning the content knowledge. You make the topics so much more understandable through your detailed explanations and rationales. Thanks for creating this do-it-yourself content! I am learning an incredible amount from what you produce alone, or whatever size production staff you employ that makes this happen. Please know you are appreciated, Home RenoVision DIY!
This is awesome info. I was just about to go to Home Depot to fix a drywall spot that gets wet in severe storms. Now I know which one I want for that spot! Thanks! Great channel!!!
the best tool I have found for cutting fiberglass is an electric turkey carving knife. it cuts clean and quick and does not appear to dull. I never tried it on Roxul but i believe it would work well on that too.
I have roxul in my 2x4 walls and sealed my attic with open cell foam 5 inches thick. My home temps and humidity does not fluctuate drastically like before adding the insulation. And central ac run times are cut almost in half from 9 hours a day to about 4 hours a day run time. Located in Hawaii.
I have a stand alone brick garage that is over 50 years old. I would use the mineral insulation inside the ceiling joists. As of right now the roof subfloor is exposed to the air. It gets FREEZING in there in the winter so I hope that mineral insulation will help.
what about dense (wet) pack cellulose? I believe Applegate is one of the companies in the US that manufactures it? Used it in my shop renovation and so far has been impressive, but don't know about the long term...
Your videos are always instructive and fun. Thank-you. Regarding the choice of insulation, the attic gets dirty, and South Carolina gets very humid and damp, regardless of season - and that humid, damp air circulates through the attic. We need insulation in the attic, but I guess I’ve developed reservations about “the pink”. I am also wondering whether to go with a radiant barrier, traditional batts/blown-in, or both. Your thoughts on these matters would be much appreciated.
Because of your videos and help from a friend who built house, I've saved thousands on labor costs by doing a lot of work myself... So I went with the Sound proof Roxul... I'm only doing a couple rooms here and there so it's not a huge cost, maybe a couple extra hundred bucks. However if you're doing an entire house I could see how the pink stuff could really end up saving thousands. Thanks for the video very informative.
One thing I would add, is if you have to try and pull it behind any strapping (or other) when doing a retro installation. The fiberglass is easier to pull through, the mineral wool just pulls apart.
They are both great! I like mineral wool simply because it holds its shape. In some situations the rigidity can save a lot of headache =) Can't argue about the cost though! haha
That's why in a 2X4 wall you would use an R-15 fiberglass batt, stiff as a board. A 2X6 wall, you would use an R-21 batt. Ceilings, an R-30 high density batt, Etc.
I use an electric knife (like for cutting a turkey at Thanksgiving) for cutting Rockwool insulation. WAY better than a bread knife or Ginsu. I love the vapor permeability and resistance to compression that Rockwool provides as well.
😂Great video. "If the fire gets through your drywall, you're already dead." classic and true. I'm remodeling my Dad's house in NYC but I live in Hawaii so know nothing about heating or insulation. My house has neither. My Dad's house is 111 years old and there's no insulation in the walls, but I have to replace the plaster lath in one exterior wall, so going to insulate while I have it open. The reason I have to redo the wall is because the roof leaked for years and totally destroyed the plaster (covered by paneling) so maybe I should stick with rockwool since it's possible this could happen again in the future. Thanks for the education.
Sorry Dude, you missed on many points, advantage of Roxul. Just built a house a year ago with it, and am completely satisfied my choice was better all the way around than the 'Pink' stuff. It is wll worth the price difference.
Cool, now I know to get Roxul. Good for Alaska because if you ever happened where oil ran out during winter. You know the house going to be covered in frost during night winter
I think the only thing I've ever had anything like an allergic reaction to is pink insulation. Rocksul , no problem. There is the critter issue as well.
Fiberglass in most European countries are already in the process of getting obsolete and substituted by rock wool. In Portugal/ France no wholesaler are selling fiberglass wool anymore.
You forgot to mention fiberglass insulation will make some people itchy and mineral wool is less itchy to work with. The mineral wool is more rigid so in some applications it is worth spending the extra money
Thank you for this post! It's extremely helpful. I am doing sound insulation in my apartment and my upstairs neighbors seem to like to share their water with me via my ceiling. I will avoid the pink as I need an insulation that will dry out.
This is EXACTLY what I love your channel for… great info, informed by real world experience, and if at any point you are sharing something, I trust that you aren’t shilling for a product just to make a buck, but because you believe in the product.
I'm loving the roxo or mineral wool for a few reasons. The biggest it doesn't leave me itchy lol. With the pink fiberglass insulation I find that I need a mask, long sleeve shirt, and gloves. And I tape the gloves to my sleeves. The first time I worked with mineral wool I was in love 😆. Way way easier to install. There's no itch to it and I find that it not only makes the house feel warmer but it seems to be a good sound barrier as well. Yes it's a little more expensive but worth it I say.
My house is nearly over run with books trinkets, keep sakes, bric-a-brac and just plain junk. I'd like to build some attractive shelves in entry areas, office areas, bedrooms etc. I have built shelves before but I want to build full wall shelves and make them attractive to the eye with pleasant eye catching quality. If you ever want to show suggestions, it would be helpful to me. I know, books are out of style with our electronic devices but I like to catalog and keep books ready for reference. In the last house I owned, I foolishly built books shelves in my entire basement. Naturally they got mildewed and moldy. I hope to keep my books safe from high humidity or summer wetness. Love your content. It is very inspiring and informational.
You are amazing. I hope one day you make a video how apply epoxy in garage and which kind of product is better. Oil or water base, one part or two parts. I tried different ideas and they do not last. I saw videos some companies come and grind the floor and apply something which I cannot find in local stores. Thanks.
or the poly-cement microtopping..Thats what we nee Jeff!!! I bet you'd have a slick idea of simply using a coloring agent with selfleveling vs boutique cement brands for overlay.
Great video..thanks! I ended up using Rockwool for my cathedral ceiling in an addition because the R value would allow me to get above R38 in the space I had where fiberglass needed an extra couple inches, otherwise, I'd be compressing it too much. So similar to your comments in your video, I have a mix of pink stuff largely for the walls and Rockwool for ceilings. It's also nice that it stays put in-between ceiling joists without needing anything to hold it in place prior to drywall. I'm planning on still using a vapor barrier even though I think I saw that Rockwool is ok for use without one. I just don't want to chance it. Thanks again!
Great video, excellent demonstration. I purchased some mineral wool because I could get a higher R-value which my codes inspector insisted i needed to meet energy codes. I've installed the pink stuff many times before, and one additional advantage is I wasn't as itchy when I was done. But... that's probably not worth the extra cost alone.
Also did not talk about increased thermal value of rock wool. Rok wool setles little if any, but fiberglass moves so much it's like it is trying to get out of the wall cavities. Which leaves many gaps & holes. Suggest you reassess your evaluation.
From what I have looked in to, the fiberglass will loose its r value when it is compressed or if a piece is installed sideways. As in trying to fill in an area that a whole batt would not fit. Mineral wool retains most or all its r value when compressed, and I believe can be installed in pieces filling in. Mineral wool has a slightly higher R value as well.
I've seen many videos on the fire resistance while the rockwool is consistent, the fiberglass sometimes does well sometimes bursts into flames. I kind of wonder if it is a difference in temperature. At the higher temperatures the fiberglass might melt before it can catch fire, but a lower temperature, which may be more normal for a fire house might have a different behavior. While that difference might not have an affect on if you live or die, it could make a difference in how much your house and items are damaged.
Okay. But which one will collapse in the wall faster after 10-20 yrs. My pink insulation is now collapsed inside the walls. So it’s basically non existent insulation and my walls are FREEZING here in CT. Can you advise on that?
Great video, love the demonstrations on what actually happens when wet or charred.
One thing I'd like to bring up is the pest and rodent factor. Since it compresses twice as much, fiberglass attracts rodents for nesting during winter months. Bugs also have easier access to inside the home. Rockwool is a much tighter fit, providing a better seal on the exterior. Just something I've noticed as an electrician, where I'm constantly working in and around insulation of all types.
Oh, thanks for that little insight.
Have you noticed that the Pink slides down the wall over time? I've listened to other reviews that mention this... affecting long term R value (?)
We just had rockwool installed in a loft renovation this week. Months of rough work done where old fiberglass was left in the party walls. Neighbors complained a lot about noise, even that they could hear our conversations. The minute the rockwool replaced it, the sound difference was like night and day. Quiet as a funeral.
lots of big UA-camrs definitely seem sponsored by Rockwool but i've heard old fiberglass doesn't retain it's shape as well over time. I have my fiberglass in my 40 year old place now and there are portions in the wall where the insulation hasn't held up well and show cold on a thermal detector. Going to try at Rockwool
hahaha i'm stealing that one "quiet as a funeral" Honestly i don't know why the whole industry hasn't switched to rockwool yet, The cost is insignificant compared to the savings in heat and energy bills as well as safety from being naturally mold resisitant and rot resistant.
I have been itching this whole time watching you handle the pink stuff.
Roxul is pricey but well worth it. I use it for every remodeling project. My wife works swing shift and would sleep in our daughter's room just because it was dead quiet compared to the other rooms. I could run the lawnmower and you couldn't even hear it running directly next to the house. Definitely made a huge difference in temperature control during the winter also
How about summer? Did it do a good job?
@@JoseRodriguez-pn9hx Growing up, my dad's house that was built in the late 60s/early 70s had mineral wool insulation instead of fiberglass. It was always nice and cold in there during the summers.
@@HickoryDickory86 nice i just want to to know it would be a good investment choosing rock wool over pink insulation.
@@JoseRodriguez-pn9hx Absolutely it would be.
✅ Easier installation
✅ Rodent- and bug-resistant
✅ Fire-resistant
✅ Water-repellent and -resistant
✅ Excellent sound control
✅ Consistent R-value due to rigidity and low compressibility
@@JoseRodriguez-pn9hx definitely, doesn't matter what season, her room holds the same temperature. I moved the thermostat into her room to test a theory, during the winter we keep it on 70 and the whole house was down to 57 degrees before it was cool enough in her room to tell the thermostat to kick on
I went into this with 0 knowledge about insulation. Didn't know they would be so fire resistant. Good to learn what really matters is just the price and where you intend to place them.
Cheers Angel!
Something I use it for, even thought it's not called for, is in walls with a 220v electric in-wall heaters. Most modern heaters are very well designed with extra safety features, so a fire is unlikely, but not impossible. Also, in a cold wall, I could imagine the hot and cold creating a moist area - supposedly rockwool is more mold-resistant. (Mold resistance is also a reason I use this on top of my HVAC trunk lines in the basement.)
by the time the fire is into the drywall, it's so much heat, and it's so widespread that I imagine the insulation basically melts like cotton candy after 10 seconds.
Roxul, hands down
Used it in ceiling, walls, and under house. When we lost power this past winter, had minimal heat loss in house. Chose the thickest we could fit in the space
If you are insulating a ceiling, you can bend the rockwool and pop it in and it stays there. I found rockwool easier to work with, quicker less steps,and way less itch. With fiberglass in a wall or ceiling you need to staple it and put a moisture barrier if it is unfaced. The rockwool just goes in. Do to price I don't know if I would do my whole house, but as I have been redoing small areas the price is negligible, so I use the Rockwool. Ironically the reason I bought it the first time is because it was on sale and was cheaper than fiberglass, I liked it much better.
Great video! I did a whole room with the rock wool- an old serrated kitchen knife worked great for cutting it. I think it's better than the pink stuff for keeping critters out and for mold resistance, but maybe you could do another test to confirm that one. LOVE your channel.
I found using roxul in many cottages or hunting cabins that mineral wool is a great mice deterant as opposed in to the pink stuff. I also found it much better as fiberglass for soundproofing
Mice love the pink stuff, don't care for the Rockwool as much
Your house should be sealed so you don't have mice in the first place.
@@clintmanning4004 key word there is "should". Unfortunately, sealing houses is "new" in construction. You will be lucky to find houses built prior to 2000 that were sealed.
@@clintmanning4004 Not everybody has a new home or newer home where houses are being sealed or tighter fit than older homes. At one time it was considered "bad" having a tight house.
@@Erocwolverine42Yeah I understand, I'm just stating that if you have any pests entering your home, you should comb over the outside of your home and find the access points that pests are entering and then seal them so you won't have pests anymore. Or hire a pro to do it for you. Pests like mice and bats can cause thousands of dollars in damage. I was recently working on a house that had 4 inches of bat poop in the attic. They had to hire a restoration company to remove the bat poop and all the blow in insulation, properly clean and disinfect. Then hire another business to blow in new insulation. I'm sure that whole process cost around 10k. Then finally they hired a guy to seal off the attic from pests. Should've just done that from the get go.
This is like my new favorite channel. I can't even tell you how many of your videos I have watched this past week :D
Wow, thanks!
And still watching 9 months later 😉😊
It's great info, for sure! I'd rather hear this stuff from this guy who DOES the work, than from someone theorizing about why it works.
After the wet, Pink grows mould etc. It compresses, flattens & every time I clean that crap out, it seems to be the preferred nesting spot for bugs & mice (filled with droppings). Over time I believe the Rockwool retains its R-value.
I just bought an uninsulated money eating 120 yr old house. Maybe not the smartest move. Hindsight is always better. I am watching all your videos and am learning a lot. Thank you so much
did you end up insulating your house ?
Thank you. There have been a lot of videos lately tooting the Roxul horn.. (Some admittedly paid, some don’t want you to know they’ve been paid) It is great to see somebody (you) just providing the facts without any marketing fluff.
Love your channel but I would repectfully disagree on the burn characteristics of fiberglass to a degree. When I was a firefighter in the city we constantly opened up walls and ceilings. The fiberglass insulation WITH THE BROWN PAPER backing especially in the walls most always extended the fire upwards. It would climb vertical in the 2x4 space. the heat from the paper burning would melt the pink stuff. When we opened up there was most times a burn or char area that was spreading.Sometimes it would be contained to that wall/ceiling space sometimes not.
The fiberglass he shows doesn't have the brown paper backing, so your argument is null and void!
@@leatt4693 Ok for this demonstration. How many people( DYI) use fiberglass in there walls with the paper backing??? I've seeen tons of the paper backing stuff spread up a wall. Now like Jeff said if it gets thru the sheet rock that takes time. But you get an electrical fire in the wall ,well now!
@@greggo502 When I am looking for insulation I can't even find a store that sells paper backed insulation anymore. Old homes will have it though and I have owned and replaced that insulation due to fire hazard.
@@leatt4693 try Menards, Home Depot, Lowe’s
@@leatt4693 dont know what you're talking about you aint looking i live insulation and you have no idea what you're talking about, go to literally any home improvement store youll find it
STC is for transfer of sound, like when you walk on floors, but, the rockwool is better at reducing noise, i.e. it is preferred in sound proofing for studios and home theaters...Rockwool + MLV makes a big difference on what you hear on the other side of that wall
Mineral wool for mice and bug resistance, replaced all my pink with it and no more bugs and mice
That's interesting. I'm redoing my attic insulation and have had wasp issues.
@@Nikuser I just asked about doing a video on attic installation. This is good to know. I was told mice dont like blown in cellulose ( on top of existing batt) because it falls back on top them. Im wondering if roxul is better for attic under the cellulose as it doesnt compress as much as the fiberglass.
@@leanneb6622 in my attic, I did 1 layer of rockwool then blew in pink insulation on top of that. Bugs and rodents don't like rockwool, it, cuts them.
@@leanneb6622 I live in an area of the US were we have Sand Storms and Cellulose attic spaces collects all that sand and it gets heavy. Over time it can and does cause ceiling to fall. No mater how tight you think you house is the sand storms will prove its not lol .
Shortly after Roxul was readily available I built a chicken barn addition (50x100' on an existing 50x100') ... the existing barn was done with pink, at the farmer's insistence he wanted Roxul put in the addition... now there is good reason for his desire as between flocks the barn gets washed with a pressure washer so his existing barn had some issues water intruding causing sag and thus loss of heat (and more heat intrusion)... BUT, a year after build he hated the Roxul because the rodents loved it... the claim of rodent proof were greatly exaggerated... Now I know they still make the same claim so I expect that they have since added a chemical treatment to it otherwise by now a class action suit would have occurred.... personally if I was still in construction I'd be apt to use lamb's wool instead of pink or green...
When I open a wall during a renovation, I find the pink stuff has always lost its fluff and in turn it’s R value. Roxsul type insulation fills a cavity way better and you don’t end up with dead space that is missing insulation. Pink is old school.
Fiberglass is so dated owens corning is making mineral wool now that really says something.
I agree. I’ve seen it also collapsed as my windows were replaced.
Agreed!!!
Its rated to hold its r value for 20 years. I never understood why but it makes sense any water or settling over time and its garbage. The mineral wool is good for the life of the house. Yes its more expensive but if you plan on passing the house on to future family members its probably worth the cost.
This problem is only on the walls not the attic. So it makes more sense to use the pink stuff in the attic. Right ?
Always love informed comparisons, keep them coming!
Thanks! Will do!
Hes completely misleading though.. there are a lot more benefits to rockwool that he isnt stating.... it is mold risistent rodents and bugs dont nest and chew through it. Not the mention the r value ks close per inch... but makes a big difference when you're talking about 3 and 4 inch.. means you either meet the r value or dont..
@@tiagosimoes7422 I have to agree roxual is way easier to cut , is much less itchy, fills the cavity better, doesn't really compress and has a slightly better R Value and IMHO is worth every penny, Once you try it you will never go back
@@HomeRenoVisionDIY p
@@snakeplisken4119 Rockwool is far itchier than new OC fiberglass. I own an insulation company and if I'm working with RW I need to wear gloves, that stuff is brutal. If I'm working with OC that stuff feels like cotton, zero itch.
This video is pretty much spot on. A couple of other minor notes for new renovators:
* Some people have a very negative, almost allergic kind of, reaction to fibreglass. My wife is one of those people. It doesn't bother some, like me (thankfully). Rockwool does not have this problem
* All fibreglass insulation is the same. Pink, White, Orange, whatever. It's all made to the same specification so you will have a consistent install no matter what is available in your area.
* Do wear a filtration mask when working with fibreglass. Inhaling the fibres can cause long term health problems and the fibres are going to be airborne while you're working.
Yes and no. Technically speaking manufacters are regulated to 90% of R value.
Yeah, you'd have to wear a respirator to even enter half the metal buildings, basements and attics in the land if its bad to breathe.
@@anthonyjoe9139 You misunderstood him. He said "when working with fiberglass". When you work with it, it agitates it, throws particles in the air that you breathe in. If you are not working with it, simply around it, that is not an issue. He is correct. If you've ever worked in an attic crawling around in fiberglass, you'll notice that your lungs, esophagus, airways, etc. hurt/itch afterwards, because you've breathed in all the fiberglass particles. This is similar to asbestos. Asbestos is "safe" to be around, but whenever working with it, i.e. tearing things out and aerating it, you breathe it in and that is not safe.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d I didn't misunderstand. I wouldn't use it any more than I would asbestos. It's nasty. The attic is full of the fibres. The crawl space is full of them. I had a storage locker insulated with that garbage. That stuff got into EVERYTHING and no one was AGITATING it! Every box had that crap all over and in it. Tell me the fibres aren't working their way into the house. Who knows how much of the dust is that crap even if it's not as obvious as in my storage locker. I can't go into the attic or crawl space without a mask that crap is EVERYWHERE. It is garbage! I would never use it even for a chicken coop. It ought to be banned and the companies that make it ought to have to pay to remediate the damage.
@@anthonyjoe9139 Errrr, what? I think something was wrong with your house, bro. Every house I've ever been in has had pink fiberglass insulation and I've never seen that issue. Hundreds of structures, including businesses (look above the drop ceilings and there's probably pink stuff). Maybe your home used inferior stuff, had a pest problem, an issue with humidity, etc. etc. etc? Idk but sounds like a you problem. It's fine unless you agitate it.
Would like to see a comparison between closed cell fosm and the Rockwool insulation
I recommend your videos to everyone working on home projects. They are extremely informative and I always get the feeling of, here's the best information on what I've experienced, but you decide.
I’ve got to disagree with the sound deadening claims. I’ve noticed a massive difference in sound transmission in my house since I started replacing the old fiberglass pink stuff with mineral wool.
That is your anecdotal evidence. Actual studies show that theyre the same when it comes to sound proofing
@@joseph7105 nope, as I stated it’s based on personal experience. The differences are probably negligible in most cases. There are too many variables to count. There are however studies arguing both sides I.e. mineral wool vs pink stuff.I may have had a similar experience just replacing old pink stuff with new pink stuff, I’m quite aware of that. You really felt the need to pick my obscure comment from last year out and shame me or make me look ignorant? Lol get a life.
@e.nichols5380 Your comment was the first I saw. I didn't look at when it was posted. I'm not trying to argue, just stating what the data shows
@@joseph7105 No worries, my apologies. I posted that after renovating a kitchen from the 50’s using rock wool to replace original fiberglass insulation with a noticeable difference.
Definitely wear a mask when cutting, and handling insulation 👍 protect your eyes 👀 also
Roxul insulation is just what I need to use in a Garage Wall that Has already been Drenched by a Broken Water Pipe. Thank You for comparing the Insulation!
You always make it simple, honest and with a touch of Canadian eh! TY from BC
Wow this was an excellent breakdown. You even covered sound barrier and price 😊❤
I love this guy!!
Nice to have a visual comparison. I can confirm what others said about Roxul and mice. Mice prefer the pink stuff. My contractor used fiberglass for an add-on at the cottage. I replaced most of it with Roxul. The only place mice came through was through the pink fiberglass. I'll change that section now to Roxul.
Here i was, seeing this video uploaded and thinking what did i miss when insulating my garage for the past 4 weeks :) luckily no bad news!
I would love to hear your thoughts or see a video on rigid foam board panels for insulating a basement.
We need a spray foam (closed cell ) vs Rockwool comparison! Great content
Sprayfoam is the king of insulation but $$$
there is none, spray foam SUCKS... try cutting in something after you spray it... not happening
And rigid insulation panels! (XPS)
@@adblink1379 they just installed some of the 4" xps at the job, $40.00 usd a 2x4' sheet... and they were bringing it on tractor trailers
Building materials better be completely dry before spraying closed cell. Also, all wiring needs to be run with no twists or kinks, or it might overheat and melt, breaking the circuit. Troubleshooting electrical issues creates a huge mess of torn out foam, that usually never gets reapplied by the general contractor.
Thank you! My husband is heading to Lowe’s. He said, “What insulation should I get?” (for the basement we’re finishing.) I told him, “ Just a minute. I’ll see what our GUY says!” You answered all my questions! 🙌🏽
Happy to help! Cheers guys
Hey I just heard you on the BP podcast! It was so good, I actually saved it to my favorites to replay later. I loved the info. Lots of gems dropped by you. Thanks for all you do!
What is the BP podcast?
@@bobvilla2508 Bigger Pockets
I love your product reviews/explanations!! They are so helpful. Appreciate all your hard work to give us good information.
Glad you like them! BTW How is your area doing after the storm? Are thoughts and prayers are still with you and your community!
@@HomeRenoVisionDIY Thank you!!!! It took 18 days to restore the power grid to everyone. Our local linemen and power crews crews were joined by crews from across the country and Canada, along with the Iowa National Guard, to form a team of over 2,000 people. Otherwise it would have taken much longer. Clean up still continues. There are still people homeless because their homes are too damaged to live in. There's more work than contractors. Building supplies are in short supply. Some contractors have taken it upon themselves to travel to other major cities to pick up supplies because it would take less time than waiting for them to be shipped in. Most schools in that area started yesterday. Our school district delayed a week and started the end of Aug. but we didn't have the damage to school buildings like the city did.
You don't happen to have any tips on fixing up trailer houses, do you? I am seeing a lot of posts form people trying to get repairs for their mobile homes.
This is so spot on. Rockwool/Roxul is awesome stuff. But the modern fiberglass is so close, it usually doesn't justify the cost. Ironically, you mention Mapp gas vs propane and I see the exact same comparison but you strangely pick Mapp gas... 130° F difference (3.5%) and a substantial increase in cost.
The BEST trait of rockwool is NO MOLD- unlike pink stuff.
You left out one huge win for roxul. Mice and bugs hate it.
I live in MN and My Choice is to super insulate the stud bay with 1" pink foam board and finish with Roxul in 2 x 6 walls ...
THIS IS WHY IM SUBBED. Damn good Jeff. Damn good.
Your level of insight showcases your years of hard work and learning the content knowledge. You make the topics so much more understandable through your detailed explanations and rationales. Thanks for creating this do-it-yourself content! I am learning an incredible amount from what you produce alone, or whatever size production staff you employ that makes this happen. Please know you are appreciated, Home RenoVision DIY!
I've found roxul keeps the heat out better. Like it stop radiant heat much better that fiberglass. You do pay for the roxul in my area, about 2x.
Love watching ur videos as they are simple and straight to the point and explained clearly. Well done keep up the good work 👏
This is awesome info. I was just about to go to Home Depot to fix a drywall spot that gets wet in severe storms. Now I know which one I want for that spot! Thanks! Great channel!!!
i worked in the domain and i went to school in this.. i always tought that the minerals one(roxuel-green) was 10x better.. well now i know! cheers✌️
Best teaching channel on UA-cam on the trades. If your son decides to follow in your footsteps he's very fortunate to have you as a dad and teacher.
the best tool I have found for cutting fiberglass is an electric turkey carving knife. it cuts clean and quick and does not appear to dull. I never tried it on Roxul but i believe it would work well on that too.
Rock wool is way easier to work with when doing walls. I use a large bread knife to cut it. Yes a little more expensive but time is money.
alittle? its 4 times more expensive...
@@narmale 1.6 times more dude. Jeff has said that in the video
@@linhhoang1363 ya you can say anything in a video, i just remodeled part of my house and rockwool was 4x more expensive
@@narmale wow that's a lot, sorry for you. Must be because of region
It works about the same if you know what you're doing.
Thanks for the video. I always thought it was called Rockwool and not roxul. 25yrs in construction and just got it right.
Thanks
@@OU81TWO thank you for the knowledge my friend.
I have roxul in my 2x4 walls and sealed my attic with open cell foam 5 inches thick. My home temps and humidity does not fluctuate drastically like before adding the insulation. And central ac run times are cut almost in half from 9 hours a day to about 4 hours a day run time. Located in Hawaii.
Your humor and accent remind me of The Red Green Show. Love it.
I love the comparisons. Especially the foam spray one a while back.
I have a stand alone brick garage that is over 50 years old. I would use the mineral insulation inside the ceiling joists. As of right now the roof subfloor is exposed to the air. It gets FREEZING in there in the winter so I hope that mineral insulation will help.
what about dense (wet) pack cellulose? I believe Applegate is one of the companies in the US that manufactures it? Used it in my shop renovation and so far has been impressive, but don't know about the long term...
Excellent comparison Bro
And finally a honest one
Your videos are always instructive and fun. Thank-you.
Regarding the choice of insulation, the attic gets dirty, and South Carolina gets very humid and damp, regardless of season - and that humid, damp air circulates through the attic. We need insulation in the attic, but I guess I’ve developed reservations about “the pink”.
I am also wondering whether to go with a radiant barrier, traditional batts/blown-in, or both. Your thoughts on these matters would be much appreciated.
Because of your videos and help from a friend who built house, I've saved thousands on labor costs by doing a lot of work myself... So I went with the Sound proof Roxul... I'm only doing a couple rooms here and there so it's not a huge cost, maybe a couple extra hundred bucks. However if you're doing an entire house I could see how the pink stuff could really end up saving thousands. Thanks for the video very informative.
My favorite reno show. I learned a lot. Thanks
Jeff great review straight forward explanation and easy for understand no sales gimmicks just facts.
very informative. Still doubting what to lean towards but I have a better perspective thanks to this video.
I am using the Roxul insulation for my garage as it will have a higher chance of getting moisture build up.
One thing I would add, is if you have to try and pull it behind any strapping (or other) when doing a retro installation. The fiberglass is easier to pull through, the mineral wool just pulls apart.
Thanks for this information! I am building a house right now and was concerned about rockwool vs Owen’s
They are both great!
I like mineral wool simply because it holds its shape. In some situations the rigidity can save a lot of headache =)
Can't argue about the cost though! haha
That's why in a 2X4 wall you would use an R-15 fiberglass batt, stiff as a board.
A 2X6 wall, you would use an R-21 batt.
Ceilings, an R-30 high density batt, Etc.
Safe n sound is much better at sound deadening and is worth the cost in cases of shared walls and entertainment rooms
Propane and propane accessories!!
Hank Hill
That Ginzu knife almost got Mr. Winkle. LOL My husband and I love your videos, Jeff. Keep em coming!
YOU are always such a bundle of information.
I use an electric knife (like for cutting a turkey at Thanksgiving) for cutting Rockwool insulation. WAY better than a bread knife or Ginsu. I love the vapor permeability and resistance to compression that Rockwool provides as well.
I used a regular saw, had to cut every piece because of 12” on center floor studs.
😂Great video. "If the fire gets through your drywall, you're already dead." classic and true. I'm remodeling my Dad's house in NYC but I live in Hawaii so know nothing about heating or insulation. My house has neither. My Dad's house is 111 years old and there's no insulation in the walls, but I have to replace the plaster lath in one exterior wall, so going to insulate while I have it open. The reason I have to redo the wall is because the roof leaked for years and totally destroyed the plaster (covered by paneling) so maybe I should stick with rockwool since it's possible this could happen again in the future. Thanks for the education.
Sorry Dude, you missed on many points, advantage of Roxul. Just built a house a year ago with it, and am completely satisfied my choice was better all the way around than the 'Pink' stuff. It is wll worth the price difference.
Cool, now I know to get Roxul. Good for Alaska because if you ever happened where oil ran out during winter. You know the house going to be covered in frost during night winter
I used both in my basement. The roxul fits much more snug between the studs but takes longer to cut than the pink stuff.
I think the only thing I've ever had anything like an allergic reaction to is pink insulation. Rocksul , no problem. There is the critter issue as well.
I've learned a great deal from watching your videos.
I'd love to see a comparison between electrical, air, and hydronic in floor heating.
Thanks so much for the video. We are researching insulation now to go into the ceiling in our basement.
Fantastic!
r30 rockwool
Fiberglass in most European countries are already in the process of getting obsolete and substituted by rock wool. In Portugal/ France no wholesaler are selling fiberglass wool anymore.
Thanks! Must have missed the one where you compare spray foam to this stuff. Awesome content!
Zip sheathing vs regular OSB and housewrap!!
Also insulated vinyl siding vs hardie plank!!!!
Think I'm going to suggest the rock wool just because it's a back garage and it's prone to moisture and potential water leaks.
You forgot to mention fiberglass insulation will make some people itchy and mineral wool is less itchy to work with. The mineral wool is more rigid so in some applications it is worth spending the extra money
Thank you for this post! It's extremely helpful. I am doing sound insulation in my apartment and my upstairs neighbors seem to like to share their water with me via my ceiling. I will avoid the pink as I need an insulation that will dry out.
This is EXACTLY what I love your channel for… great info, informed by real world experience, and if at any point you are sharing something, I trust that you aren’t shilling for a product just to make a buck, but because you believe in the product.
I would go with both.
I'm loving the roxo or mineral wool for a few reasons. The biggest it doesn't leave me itchy lol. With the pink fiberglass insulation I find that I need a mask, long sleeve shirt, and gloves. And I tape the gloves to my sleeves. The first time I worked with mineral wool I was in love 😆. Way way easier to install. There's no itch to it and I find that it not only makes the house feel warmer but it seems to be a good sound barrier as well. Yes it's a little more expensive but worth it I say.
My house is nearly over run with books trinkets, keep sakes, bric-a-brac and just plain junk. I'd like to build some attractive shelves in entry areas, office areas, bedrooms etc. I have built shelves before but I want to build full wall shelves and make them attractive to the eye with pleasant eye catching quality. If you ever want to show suggestions, it would be helpful to me. I know, books are out of style with our electronic devices but I like to catalog and keep books ready for reference. In the last house I owned, I foolishly built books shelves in my entire basement. Naturally they got mildewed and moldy. I hope to keep my books safe from high humidity or summer wetness. Love your content. It is very inspiring and informational.
You are amazing. I hope one day you make a video how apply epoxy in garage and which kind of product is better. Oil or water base, one part or two parts. I tried different ideas and they do not last. I saw videos some companies come and grind the floor and apply something which I cannot find in local stores. Thanks.
this
or the poly-cement microtopping..Thats what we nee Jeff!!! I bet you'd have a slick idea of simply using a coloring agent with selfleveling vs boutique cement brands for overlay.
yes no doubt these are some of the Big Questions....
Often I find my biggest struggle is choosing between the pink and the brown.....😇😜
I find that the brown is a little tighter fit along the stud. Wait, what are we talking about?
Thanks Jeff, I love your channel. I will need all the knowledge you have to fix my house when I buy it (not new). Cheers!
Great video..thanks! I ended up using Rockwool for my cathedral ceiling in an addition because the R value would allow me to get above R38 in the space I had where fiberglass needed an extra couple inches, otherwise, I'd be compressing it too much. So similar to your comments in your video, I have a mix of pink stuff largely for the walls and Rockwool for ceilings. It's also nice that it stays put in-between ceiling joists without needing anything to hold it in place prior to drywall. I'm planning on still using a vapor barrier even though I think I saw that Rockwool is ok for use without one. I just don't want to chance it.
Thanks again!
Thank you so much for teaching us, sir.
It looks like you have been watching the Build show. I like watching both to get then entire span of the spectrum.
Jeff, you are such a fountain of knowledge. Thank you.
These type of comparisons are excellent. Thank you.
Great video, excellent demonstration. I purchased some mineral wool because I could get a higher R-value which my codes inspector insisted i needed to meet energy codes. I've installed the pink stuff many times before, and one additional advantage is I wasn't as itchy when I was done. But... that's probably not worth the extra cost alone.
Prefect, easy to understand explanation. Thanks Jeff!
Also did not talk about increased thermal value of rock wool. Rok wool setles little if any, but fiberglass moves so much it's like it is trying to get out of the wall cavities. Which leaves many gaps & holes. Suggest you reassess your evaluation.
Most informative so far, i wondering about mold in Florida
Good Very good. As a German Which I am you got good common sense 😊
From what I have looked in to, the fiberglass will loose its r value when it is compressed or if a piece is installed sideways. As in trying to fill in an area that a whole batt would not fit. Mineral wool retains most or all its r value when compressed, and I believe can be installed in pieces filling in. Mineral wool has a slightly higher R value as well.
When you say sideways can you explain? I'm using 24 inch by 8 ft lengths cut down in to 16 inch pieces to fit
I've seen many videos on the fire resistance while the rockwool is consistent, the fiberglass sometimes does well sometimes bursts into flames. I kind of wonder if it is a difference in temperature. At the higher temperatures the fiberglass might melt before it can catch fire, but a lower temperature, which may be more normal for a fire house might have a different behavior. While that difference might not have an affect on if you live or die, it could make a difference in how much your house and items are damaged.
Okay. But which one will collapse in the wall faster after 10-20 yrs. My pink insulation is now collapsed inside the walls. So it’s basically non existent insulation and my walls are FREEZING here in CT.
Can you advise on that?
The mineral wool won't collapse. Pretty much ever.
Drackar ....Thanks for confirming. And that’s why I had my basement insulated with Roxul.